Tensions rise in CANUK as disqualifications spark outcry ahead of June election

With less than a month to the scheduled elections of the Central Association of Nigerians in the UK (CANUK), internal tensions have intensified following the disqualification of several candidates and allegations of procedural irregularities.

The group, established in 2005 to foster unity among Nigerians in the UK, is currently facing a wave of dissent, with accusations directed at its leadership and the Electoral Committee. Critics allege bias, imposition, and a lack of transparency in the run-up to the elections and the Annual General Meeting (AGM) slated for Saturday, June 14, 2025.

One of the disqualified candidates, Peper-Hade Shoyemi, who is contesting for the position of Chair, described the process as unjust.

“I was disqualified by former Mayor of Southwark, Michael Situ, who is the Chair of the Electoral Committee, unjustly, and my opponent was given three attempts to resubmit his form,” he said.

Shoyemi also alleged that the incumbent Chair, Ayo Akinfe, “manipulated everybody and brought out someone who has spent four years as executive to continue to serve against what the constitution stipulated.”

In a related petition, Bashar Abdullahi, a candidate for Assistant Secretary General, wrote to the Secretary of the Electoral Committee, arguing that “Ily Maisanda and Judy Akuta are ineligible to contest under the CANUK Electoral Committee rules, specifically Clauses 10 and 16, which disqualify individuals who have served as a member of the Executive Committee for four years.”

He also alleged that certain candidates submitted their nomination forms after the official deadline, aided by members of the Electoral Committee, in direct violation of the established electoral procedures.

According to Abdullahi, only candidates and voters from associations registered and financially up-to-date for the past two years (2023 and 2024) are eligible to contest and vote. Accordingly, organisations such as the Nigeria Student Society and the Nigerian Youth in Diaspora Organisation do not meet these requirements and should not be permitted to field candidates or participate in the voting process.”

The petition called for the dissolution of the current electoral body.
“We respectfully request that the current committee step down and that an independent and impartial Appeal Committee be constituted to ensure fairness and transparency,” it read.

When contacted, Akinfe dismissed the allegations as false and defamatory.
“I think I should sue these people for making libellous claims. The CANUK constitution is clear.

The executives agreed to the Electoral Committee. We voted the 11-man committee chaired by the former Mayor of Southwark. There are 14 members of the executives, and 12 out of 14 voted for the committee,” he said.

“Our constitution doesn’t state that anyone must be a registered financial member for two years. These people are only desperate. There are 21 candidates, and three did not meet the criteria, and they were disqualified. They started making up stories.”

The escalating tensions have raised concerns among stakeholders who fear that the credibility of CANUK’s leadership and electoral integrity could be undermined if the grievances are not adequately addressed.